Coming soon, a Marathi movie inspired by Hazare

Pune: In a celluloid tribute to Anna Hazare's resolve to fight corruption with non-violent methods, a Marathi film will capture the inspirational and magnetic pull of the anti-graft crusader's personality that has caught the imagination of the country.

The film wants to convey that the Gandhian philosophy of 'ahimsa' (non-violence) and 'satyagraha' (peaceful resistance) is more powerful than terrorist ideologies that are spreading in the world, said Ganesh Shinde, director and scriptwriter of 'Mala Anna Vhaychay' (I want to become Anna).

A Marathi film will capture the inspirational and magnetic pull of the anti-graft crusader.

The movie's theme revolves around a teenager from a poor family who looks up to the Gandhian and aspires to follow his ideals, overcoming personal frustrations. The Anna appeal leads him into joining the anti-corruption movement.

Shinde said he had conceptualised the film last year before Hazare's anti-graft movement gathered a sustained momentum this year.

"We will make a request to Anna to take part in some of the scenes of the proposed venture. The idea is project Anna's philosophy and endeavour as an activist working for the welfare of the society."

Being made under the banner of M S Films, the film has a budget of Rs 60 lakh and is expected to be released on November 13 all over Maharashtra.

The script of 'Mala Anna Vhaychay' is being revised to incorporate the dramatic arrest, protests, release, and the historic fast undertaken by the veteran social activist in Delhi last month.

Parts of the 74-year-old Gandhian's life journey and formative years will be interwoven in the protagonist's story as flashbacks, running along with the teenager's trials and tribulations after failing a board examination and rejection in a love affair.

The film will go on floors shortly after the ongoing Ganesh festival and some sequences will be shot in and around Ralegan Siddhi, the native village of the Armyman-turned- activist in Ahmednagar district of Western Maharashtra.

Shinde said his unit had shot some events of the Ramlila Ground agitation in Delhi that stole the national limelight, and some parts of the footage would be included in the film. "We are also seeking Anna's audience to discuss the film project."

Noted Marathi actor Arun Nalavade will the play the role of Hazare in the film, the cast of which includes eminent Marathi film personalities like Mohan Joshi, Vikram Gokhale, Priya Berde and Ramesh Bhatkar.